Airports: Stansted

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have calculated the increase in carbon emissions the proposed additional runway at Stansted Airport would produce; and what the projected figures are for the first five years of the runway's operation.

Lord Adonis: Our current forecasts of UK aviation carbon dioxide emissions are reported in UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts, published in November 2007 and available at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/ukairdemandandco 2forecasts/.
	These suggest that a second runway at Stansted would cause the UK's annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to increase by 2.3 million tonnes per annum, when averaged over the period 2015 to 2075. Over the first five years of the runway's operation, the additional CO2 emissions are projected to rise from around zero to around 1 million tonnes per annum.
	The Government are strongly committed to achieving reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and aim to do so in the most effective way. This is why we have led the debate within Europe to include all flights arriving at and departing from EU airports in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2012 onwards. Any growth in aircraft emissions above the ETS cap will only be possible by the sector paying for commensurate carbon savings made elsewhere in the economy.

Armed Forces: A400M

Lord Moonie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What impact on the future availability of airlift capability for the Royal Air Force is expected from delays in the A400M programme; what was the original target price per aircraft; and what is now the anticipated price.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: We are naturally concerned by delays to the A400M programme and are currently in discussions with the contractor about this. The department keeps its airlift capability planning under review and is considering contingency plans to mitigate any potential capability gaps caused by slippage in the A400M programme.
	I am withholding the contracted unit price of the A400M aircraft as this is commercially sensitive.

Armed Forces: F35 Aircraft

Lord Moonie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have held with United States officials and industry about reductions in uptake of F-35 aeroplanes by (a) the United States Air Force, (b) the United States Navy, (c) the United States Marine Corps, (d) the Royal Air Force, and (e) the Royal Navy.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: We have regular discussions with our US counterparts and have been made aware of the United States decision to reduce the US commitment in the 2009 production contract by two jets, one for the United States Air Force and one for the United States Marine Corps. Any implications to the United Kingdom have been taken into account and our programme continues to remain affordable.

Armed Forces: F35 Aircraft

Lord Moonie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What United Kingdom-mandated systems will be fitted to F-35 aircraft for United Kingdom use; and what are the additional costs of qualifying such equipment.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: UK specific requirements for JSF are contained within the expenditure approved in 2001 for the UK's participation in the JSF system development and demonstration phase. As well as ensuring that JSF is fully integrated with key UK platforms such as CVF, UK specific requirements embedded in JSF include ASRAAM and Paveway IV.

Armed Forces: F35 Aircraft

Lord Moonie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration they have given to the August 2008 RAND Corporation briefing on Pacific Vision and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies report America's Self-destroying Air Power in respect of the ability of the F-35 aircraft to meet the United Kingdom's strategic and tactical requirements.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The August 2008 RAND brief focused on basing and force structure vulnerabilities in a hypothetical threat environment rather than comparing the fighting qualities of particular aircraft. The outcome of the brief does not affect the UK's commitment to the JSF programme.

Armed Forces: Homecoming

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they cancelled a proposed flypast in Belfast on 2 November for the homecoming of local soldiers; who took that decision; and who was consulted; and
	Whether they placed restrictions on the music played by a military band at the soldiers' homecoming parade in Belfast on 2 November; if so, why; and what the restrictions were; and
	Whether they have placed restrictions on music played by military bands at any homecoming parade for soldiers since 2002; and
	Whether they placed any restrictions on the use of flags and weapons by the members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces who took part in the homecoming parade in Belfast on 2 November; and, if so, what they were.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: There are no restrictions placed on music played by a military band at soldiers' homecoming parades and the choice is left to the director of music of each band.
	On Wednesday 29 October the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland (GOC NI), Major-General Chris Brown, issued a special signal to all military personnel taking part in the many events over the weekend 31 October to 2 November. In that signal he stressed the significance and importance of being able to give thanks for the safe return of those who had served overseas. Equally he emphasised the need for recognition that the Armed Forces did not have the undivided support of all sections within the wider community. He also outlined that he had taken a number of measures to ensure that the thanksgiving parade did not increase the potential for friction. These measures included that all on parade would be unarmed and the musical repertoire would reflect the thanksgiving and tri-service nature of the event, including regimental tunes, while also recognising that the parade was happening on a Sunday.
	In a further statement from the GOC NI on Friday 31 October it was announced that he had decided that there would be no flypast, which further underpinned the appreciation of the sensitivities surrounding this element of the parade.

Care Homes

Lord Taylor of Warwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide financial assistance to those private care homes affected by the current economic situation.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The Government will work closely with local authorities and providers to ensure they are able to meet their statutory responsibilities and protect the welfare of care home residents. Any action taken will be governed by the circumstances and the needs of those affected. The department will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Carers

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration they have given to Juggling Work and Care, published by Crossroads Caring for Carers; and whether they will take any action further to its conclusions and recommendations.

Lord Darzi of Denham: We welcome Crossroads's report Juggling Work and Care, as this is a helpful contribution to the debate on how carers can be supported. Crossroads is closely involved in taking forward the implementation of the carers strategy through the membership of the cross-government programme board.

Citizens' Juries

Lord Hanningfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many citizens' juries they held in Essex, or involved residents of the county, in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008.

Lord Bach: Individual government departments are responsible for engagement around their own policy areas and as such hold their own citizens' juries as appropriate. The Ministry of Justice has not held any citizens' juries during 2007 or 2008, including in Essex.

Crime: Rape

Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have for removing anonymity for women who have made allegations of rape in which the Court of Appeal has found the conviction of men unsafe following a reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Lord West of Spithead: We are considering this issue and will announce our conclusions in due course. In reaching our conclusions it is vital we strike the right balance between preventing potential miscarriages of justice and ensuring that victims of sexual offences are not discouraged from coming forward.

Crime: Rape

Lord Campbell-Savours: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have for a secure national database accessible by certain authorities of the names of women who have made false allegations of rape.

Lord West of Spithead: We have no plans to create a database of the names of women who have made false allegations of rape.

Crimes against Humanity

Lord Carlile of Berriew: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Borders and Immigration, Mr Phil Woolas MP, on 14 October (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 1072W) in relation to crimes against humanity, how many of the cases considered by the war crimes team in the UK Border Agency have resulted in (a) refusal of entry into the United Kingdom, (b) deportation or removal to another country, (c) referral for police inquiry, (d) no further action because the person was cleared of involvement in a crime, and (e) other action.

Lord West of Spithead: The UK Border Agency war crimes team does not hold case statistics that relate solely to crimes against humanity. However, 16 per cent of cases referred to the war crimes team in the past four years have resulted in recommendations for further immigration action. This figure is based on local management information and is not provided under National Statistics protocols. To provide a breakdown as requested would incur disproportionate costs.

Crossrail

Lord Bradley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total contribution from business rates in London for the funding of Crossrail.

Lord Adonis: A copy of the Crossrail heads of terms agreement signed by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) was placed in the House Library on 26 November 2007. This agreement sets out, with only those redactions necessary to prevent harm to commercial interests, the agreements that have been reached between DfT and TfL on the future funding and governance of the Crossrail project.
	The heads of terms envisage that £3.5 billion of debt will be raised by the Greater London Authority making use of the business rates supplement.

Health: Contraception

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 3 November (WA 18), which primary care trusts are using funding for contraceptives to pilot the supply of a range of contraceptives in pharmacies under NHS arrangements; and which contraceptives are part of those pilots.

Lord Darzi of Denham: The information is not currently available in the format requested.
	Strategic health authorities are working with their primary care trusts to agree local action plans to develop innovative schemes, including pharmacy-based schemes to improve awareness of and access to all types of contraception. The department has requested an update on progress on plans in December 2008 when we will have a better picture of all the pharmacy-based schemes planned or under way.

Health: Haemophilia

Baroness O'Cathain: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the answers by Baroness Thornton on 9 October (Official Report, House of Lords, cols. 331-32) on the extent and depth of deprivation in the haemophilia community and the cut of 70 per cent in the Haemophilia Society's core grant, what action they have taken to assist the society to resolve its financial problem.

Lord Darzi of Denham: Departmental officials are hoping to arrange a meeting with the society in early December, to see how the society can most effectively utilise third-sector funding opportunities. The department will fully support and advise the society in doing this.

Health: Incontinence

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 29 September (WA 367), how much an average monthly supply of intermittent catheters weighs.

Lord Darzi of Denham: As patients and patient needs and lifestyles vary significantly, it is not possible to quantify the weight of an "average" monthly supply of intermittent catheters. The factors that influence the response are the number of catheters used per month and the type of catheter used.

House of Lords: Travel Plan

Lord Berkeley: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What plans the House of Lords has to develop a workplace travel plan aimed at reducing the environmental impact of travel by staff of the House.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: It is not necessary to have a workplace travel plan to reduce environmental impacts, given that most staff rely on public transport (for which season ticket loans are available). We also offer bicycle loans and bicycle parking. Car parking for staff is very limited and subject to business need.

Inquiries: Northern Ireland

Lord Morrow: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration has been given to capping the cost of public inquiries in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: There are no plans to set a cap on any of the public inquiries' overall costs, which might curtail the inquiries before they have fulfilled their terms of reference. However, the Secretary of State has set caps on the individual hourly fee levels for lawyers who are publicly funded to provide legal assistance for parties and witnesses at the following levels:
	
		
			 Senior Counsel £200 
			 Leading Junior Counsel £175 (this applies in the Robert Hamill inquiry only) 
			 Junior Counsel £100 
			 Solicitors £150 
		
	
	He has also set a cap of 40 hours a week that may be claimed. This may be extended to 60 hours during the oral hearings, and a two-month period before they commence, upon application to the inquiry chairman provided this is justified in all the circumstances. These limitations are enforced by means of a formal notice of determination under Section 40(4) of the Inquiries Act 2005 in the Robert Hamill inquiry and Billy Wright inquiry. Furthermore, Section 17(3) of the Inquiries Act imposes a specific duty on the inquiry chairman to have regard to cost in procedural decisions:
	"In making any decision as to the procedure or conduct of an inquiry, the chairman must act with fairness and with the regard also to the need to avoid any unnecessary costs (whether to public funds or to witnesses or to others)".
	The Rosemary Nelson inquiry is operating under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998. The inquiry has been instructed to operate within the same limits as those that have been applied under the Inquiries Act.

Inquiries: Northern Ireland

Lord Morrow: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What has been the cost to date of (a) the Bloody Sunday inquiry; (b) the Rosemary Nelson inquiry; (c) the Robert Hamill inquiry; and (d) the Billy Wright inquiry.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The costs to date for the inquiries are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Inquiry Cost to end-September 2008 
			 The Bloody Sunday Inquiry £184.60 million 
			 The Rosemary Nelson Inquiry £31.70 million 
			 The Robert Hamill Inquiry £17.59 million 
			 The Billy Wright Inquiry £19.40 million

Iraq: Christians and Mandaeans

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they deport from Britain members of Iraq's minorities, particularly the Christians and Mandaeans.

Lord West of Spithead: All asylum claims, including those from Iraqi nationals, are carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights against the background of the latest accurate, sourced and up-to-date country information.
	The UK Border Agency will only enforce the return of individuals whom it and the courts are satisfied are not in need of international protection and do not elect to leave voluntarily. We do not accept that each and every asylum seeker who presents themselves as being from a particular country or religion should automatically be afforded protection in the United Kingdom. Removal will only be carried out where it is considered both appropriate and safe to do so.
	The August 2008 version of the Home Office country report for Iraq is available to view at www.home office.gov.uk/rds/country_reports.html.

National Asset Register

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the total value of disposals of those assets included in the National Asset Register since it was last published in January 2007, broken down between asset categories and departments.

Lord Myners: The National Asset Register listed assets owned at the end of March 2005. The table below therefore shows the estimated value of asset disposals (in £m) between April 2005 and March 2008 consistent with the most recently published aggregate figures (published in Tables 2.3 and 5.7 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses2008). Data for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are outturn figures; data for 2007-08 are estimates made at the time of the 2008 Budget. These figures include all asset disposals by central government departments, NDPBs and public corporations that were reported as part of departments' capital budgets, and are split between "land and buildings" and "other".
	
		
			 Departmental Group Land and buildings Other1 Total 
			 Children, Schools and Families 1 0 1 
			 Health 2,6622 0 2,662 
			 Transport 45 0 45 
			 Innovation, Universities and Skills 13 3 16 
			 Communities and Local Government 1,048 2 1,050 
			 Home Office 18 2 20 
			 Justice 26 3 29 
			 Law Officers' Departments 28 6 34 
			 Defence 1,948 42 1,990 
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 20 73 93 
			 International Development 0 0 0 
			 Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 75 166 241 
			 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 37 9 46 
			 Culture, Media and Sport 3 7 11 
			 Work and Pensions 0 68 68 
			 Scotland 134 13 147 
			 Wales 111 37 148 
			 Northern Ireland Executive 130 88 218 
			 Northern Ireland Office 74 11 85 
			 Chancellor's Departments 16 5 20 
			 Cabinet Office 0 13 13 
			 Independent Bodies 0 3 3 
			 Total 6,390 551 6,941 
		
	
	1. "Other" includes tangible and intangible fixed asset disposals that are not "land and buildings".
	2. The Health "land and buildings" figure contains a small amount of "other" disposals that cannot currently be identified separately in data collected centrally.

Northern Ireland Office: Taxis

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President (Baroness Royall of Blaisdon) on 30 October (WA 181) concerning the expenditure of the Northern Ireland Office on taxis, by whom each journey was made; when; to where; at what cost; and for what purpose.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland Office could only provide this information at disproportionate cost.

Political Parties: Funding

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Crawley on 22 July (WA 277), what interpretation is given to (a) identity; (b) ethos; (c) aspirations of both communities; and (d) parity of esteem in Northern Ireland; and how they measure their activities to ensure they comply with those principles.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: "Identity", "ethos" and "aspirations" are commonly understood terms which should be read as relating to those characteristics of both the nationalist and unionist communities in Northern Ireland in the context of the Belfast agreement. "Parity of esteem" should be read in the context of the broader affirmation made in paragraph (v) of Article 1 of the agreement.
	The Belfast agreement recommended a statutory obligation to promote equality of opportunity in specified areas and parity of esteem between the two main communities and to investigate individual complaints against public bodies. Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 gave effect to this recommendation in UK domestic law. Public authorities assess the likely impact on equality or community relations of new policies in accordance with their published equality schemes.

Questions for Written Answer

Lord Laird: asked the Leader of the House:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 22 July (WA 278) concerning the answering of Parliamentary Questions, whether the discussions with ministerial colleagues have produced speedier responses.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: I attach great importance to answering Parliamentary Questions within the 14-day deadline and I am in regular contact with my ministerial colleagues to remind them of the obligation on departments to do so. My office also liaises regularly with officials to ensure that Questions are answered in as timely a manner as possible.

RAF: Aircraft Carriers

Lord Moonie: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Typhoon aircraft have been delivered to the Royal Air Force; how many flying hours have been achieved on them; and what is the availability of such aircraft in service.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: As at 27 October 2008, 51 Typhoon aircraft have been delivered to the Royal Air Force and the Typhoon fleet has flown a total of 24,236 hours. Forty-nine of these aircraft have entered operational service with the RAF, 34 of which are in the Forward Fleet—that is, aircraft which are available to the front-line command for operational and training purposes and those that are short-term unserviceable.

RAF: Transport Aircraft

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many hours were flown by the Royal Air Force Tristar fleet in the past 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projections for each of the next seven years.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The table below provides the actual flying hours for the Tristar fleet for the past 12 months and the activity currently planned for the next seven years. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Some 2,700 hours originally planned for Tristar were flown by charter aircraft in the year to 30 September 2008. Tristar is planned to go out of service in 2014-15.
	
		
			 Tristar 
			 Actual Flying Hours Currently Planned Flying Hours—Financial Years 
			 1 Oct 2007-30 Sep 2008 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 
			 9040 11560 11560 11560 11560 11560 11560 5000

RAF: Transport Aircraft

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many hours were flown by the Royal Air Force VC-10 fleet in the past 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projections for each of the next seven years.

Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The table below provides the actual flying hours flown by the RAF VC-10 fleet for the past 12 months and the activity currently planned for the next seven years. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	
		
			 VC-10 
			 Actual Flying Hours Planned Flying Hours—Financial Years 
			 01 Oct 2007-30 Sep 2008 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 
			 9440 9260 9260 9260 8500 5500 2700 0 
		
	
	The aircraft is planned to go out of service in 2014.

Railways: Passenger Journeys

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each railway station in England used by more than 1,000 passengers a day, how many passengers arrive or depart by each mode of transport, including walking, cycling and driving.

Lord Adonis: The following tables provide this information for all stations in England, showing that just over half of weekday rail travellers are most likely to walk to the station at the beginning of their journey, and from the station on arrival at their destination. This information is not available for weekend travel.
	These statistics come from the National Rail travel survey (NRTS). Similar information is not available at station level, and it could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	Survey information and a report of findings (published March 2008) is available on the Department for Transport website at www.dft.gov.uk.
	
		
			 Journey purpose by main mode used to travel to station of origin on a typical weekday1: England 
			  Journeys (000s) % 
			 Walked 1,292 53 
			 Bus/coach 250 10 
			 Car (parked at or near the station) 236 10 
			 Car (dropped off by someone) 162 7 
			 Motorcycle 3 0 
			 Bicycle 38 2 
			 Taxi/minicab 68 3 
			 Underground/Light Rail/Metros/Trams 378 16 
			 Other 5 0 
			 Total 2,432 100 
		
	
	Source: National Rail travel survey, DfT
	
		
			 Journey Purpose by main mode used to egress first rail station on a typical weekday1: England 
			  Journeys (000s) % 
			 Walked 1,290 53 
			 Bus/coach 250 10 
			 Car (parked at or near the station) 232 10 
			 Car (met by someone) 157 6 
			 Motorcycle 3 0 
			 Bicycle 38 2 
			 Taxi/minicab 70 3 
			 Underground/Light Rail/Metros/Trams 386 16 
			 Other 5 0 
			 Total 2,432 100 
		
	
	Source: National Rail travel survey, DfT
	1. Survey data gathered between 2000 and 2004-05

Railways: Timekeeping

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have proposals to assess the satisfaction of railway passengers rather than the punctuality of trains.

Lord Adonis: Passenger Focus is responsible for managing the national passenger survey (NPS). The NPS provides a network-wide picture of customers' satisfaction with rail travel. Passengers' opinions of train services are collected twice a year from a representative sample of passenger journeys.

Railways: Timekeeping

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 4 November (WA 45), whether allowing increased times and margins in train timetables affects the speed of railway services or the utilisation of available rail tracks.

Lord Adonis: Where timetables are adjusted to reflect better the time required to complete any rail journey, there may be changes in the average speeds of services, and in the way that track capacity is utilised.
	As such changes are made to reduce the risk of trains being delayed, passengers benefit from receiving a more reliable and consistent service.

Utilities

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made in charging utilities companies that dig up roads for the disruption caused.

Lord Adonis: Since 2001, local authorities in England have had the power to fine utility companies for works that overrun their agreed duration.
	From April 2008 permits came into force allowing authorities, if approved by the Secretary of State for Transport, to operate a proactive regime that requires those working in the highway to have a permit. Local authorities may require a fee for that permit, to cover the cost of operating the permit scheme. No permit schemes are yet in operation, although we are currently considering applications from Transport for London and 14 London boroughs.

Vehicles: Checks

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the penalties for businesses whose vehicles fail checks carried out by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency are sufficient to prevent accidents and safeguard the interests of compliant businesses.

Lord Adonis: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) conducts inspections of vehicles at operators' premises and at the roadside to check the roadworthiness of vehicles and that safety rules for vehicle use are complied with (including drivers' hours and vehicle weight).
	The GB operator licensing system provides a robust method of dealing with operators who systematically disregard the law. Problems that are found by VOSA at its checks are reported to the traffic commissioners, who are responsible for regulating GB operators. Traffic commissioners have the power to require certain undertakings from vehicle operators to provide confidence that they can operate safely. Where problems are reported the traffic commissioner has the power to issue warnings, suspend, curtail or revoke a licence.
	Where heavy goods vehicles (HGV) operators choose to operate unlawfully outside of the GB operator licensing system, VOSA has the power to impose a range of sanctions, including:
	impound vehicles which can then be sold by VOSA, the sale value being offset against the costs of the impounding and subsequent vehicle storage. It is intended that similar powers will be extended to public services vehicles (PSV) in 2009;prosecution action can be taken. In 2007-08 7,127 offences were reported for prosecution for HGVs and 747 for PSVs. Average fine levels for 2007-08 were £247.56; and from spring 2009 it is intended that VOSA will have power to issue fixed penalties to drivers for offences they have committed. This will provide further deterrent to non-compliance. Powers will also be introduced to enable "deposits" to be taken from those unable to provide a satisfactory UK address.

Visas

Viscount Waverley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they moved the place of issuing of visas to the United Kingdom for citizens of Equatorial Guinea from Abuja to Accra.

Lord West of Spithead: Abuja was not specified as the visa issuing post for Equatorial Guinea citizens. Yaounde in Cameroon was, and remains, the designated post for such applications, though UKBA advises that applications may be made at our posts in Nigeria, Ghana, or indeed any full service visa post if it is more convenient.
	In July 2008 the visa office in Yaounde ceased to take decisions on visa applications with this work transferred to Accra. The office in Yaounde, however, remains open for the submission of visa applications. These are collected in Yaounde along with fees and biographic and biometric data, and are couriered to Accra where the application is considered. The decisions are returned to Yaounde for handing back to the applicant.
	The hub and spoke method of working is well established in the overseas visa network with the majority of posts in southern Africa, for example, already working this way. The decision to move decision-making work to Accra from Yaounde was taken in order to ensure consistency in our decision-making, to provide greater management oversight, and to achieve cost savings.
	No visa applicant is required to travel to Accra to lodge their application as decisions can be lodged in Yaounde or at any other convenient full service post.
	During the 12-month period to date, a worldwide total of 223 UK visa applications made by Equatorial Guinea nationals were lodged in 12 different countries. Among these, the top three were Yaounde (109), Madrid (68) and Abuja (12).